The Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 2014

Background

The Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 2014 place obligations on all businesses (referred to as Producers) that place packaging, packaging material or packaged products on the Irish Market. All Producers must segregate the packaging waste that arises on their premises and ensure that it is recycled or recovered.

Packaging is any material that packages any item sold on the market and includes cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, wood, aluminium and steel. It includes packaging that comes with a product or which is put on separately.

Requirements

All Producers have obligations under these regulations. However, the extent of your obligations depends on your turnover and the quantity of packaging that your business places on the Irish market. Producers with a turnover of €1m and that place more than 10 tonnes of packaging on the Irish market are classed as Major Producers and are further obligated to either join Repak or register with their Local Authority (Self Comply).

If you are a Major Producer, contact Louth County Council and advise them of your status. You have the option to either:

(1) Register with Louth County Council as a Self-Complier. Registration is required annually. You will be required to collect and recover packaging waste similar to the packaging that you have placed on the Irish market, in accordance with the targets set down in the regulations. You will also be obliged to accept packaging waste back from those who buy your products. The Environmental Compliance Section can be contacted for an application form and further information as follows:

(2) Register with Repak, the approved Packaging Compliance Scheme in Ireland. Membership of Repak will allow you to meet your obligations under the regulations. Registration is required annually. The contact details for Repak are as follows: